Mental illness awareness week is October 4-10th. Media, organizations, and dedicated people are
providing lots of information on this important subject that affects our families.

During this week, many PBS stations will broadcast “Minds on the Edge: Facing Mental Illness”.
The Tucson, Arizona schedule for this broadcast, on KUAT Channel 6 is Sunday Oct. 4, 2009,
at the following times: 5am, 11am, 6pm, 10pm.

Visit this website for information on this broadcast, including dates/times for other cities.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of prisoners with serious mental illnesses will be released into communities across America, the largest exodus in the nation’s history. Typically, mentally ill offenders leave prison with a bus ticket, $75 and two weeks worth of medication. Within 18 months, nearly two-thirds are re-arrested. In this follow up to the film “The New Asylums,” FRONTLINE examines what happens to the mentally ill when they leave prison and why they return at such alarming rates. The stories of the released — along with interviews with parole officers, social workers, and psychiatrists — provide a rare look at the lives of the mentally ill as they struggle to stay out of prison and reintegrate into society.

2. National Day of Prayer Oct. 6
Tuesday, Oct. 6 has been designated as a day of prayer for mental illness recovery and understanding.

The NAMI FaithNet web site offers a variety of resources that can be used as part of outreach efforts, including bulletin inserts, prayers, liturgies and an interfaith candle lighting service. Additional resources in English and Spanish are available at the mental health ministries web site.

3. National Depression Screening Day Oct. 8
Thursday, on national depression screening day, screenings will be sponsored by hospitals, mental health centers, primary care clinics, social service agencies and some faith communities, among other places.

It is important to inform everyone about free local screenings because they are often the first step anyone can take to get help. Clinical depression is a serious medical illness that affects adults and children. Treatment can help most people, but clinical depression can trick people into suicidal acts if left untreated. Meth abuse is causing our loved ones to become depressed, leading to low self-worth, lack of happiness in their lives, and feeling damaged. In 2009, no one needs to live without hope !

For anonymous help, contact the national depression screening project office at (781) 239-0071.

NAMI is a local and national grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families impacted by mental illness.

SAMHC is the local Tucson, Arizona (and regional) organization that can physically get help now for your loved one who is hurting with a possible mental illness. They will come when you call, with a response team of professionals, and will even bring the police if its necessary to get the help your child needs. What sort of behavior is handled by SAMHC ? Any behavior that is a danger to self or to others. Wow, what a heart break it is, just to deal with all of this. Just stop, take a deep breath, call 520-622-6000 and discuss what’s going on with these “24 hours per day, and 7 days per week” caring people. Or, you can get the police on your own, to take your loved one to any hospital emergency room and request an evaluation to determine mental fitness, and protect your loved one. When there is danger to themselves or to others, we must act quickly. We know how it can be when no one notices these issues except the family, so document and note the strange behavior ! Many have ignored these cries for help. A close friend was injured badly just wandering into the road, getting hit by a car. Lets remember that “love converts hearts and gives peace”, and so please treat everyone involved with patience. They don’t usually understand at all what you are dealing with. Read posted articles here to find out how to “deal with the system”, get needed help and remove your loved one from danger when mentally ill.